No, this stops now

No, I have to stick to the plan.

Staying in the tournament is too risky. I have to put my foot down and stop this nonsense.

Right here.

Right now.

I took a deep breath. “Sylphid. I can’t do this.”

Right away, the smile on Sylphid’s face faltered. “Oi, Oi, that’s not up for debate, Handsome. I already made up my mind. We are doing this.”

She’s stubborn. Well, that’s hardly a surprise. But at times like these you can’t falter. “Please let me explain. What you did for me and for my girls, I will be forever in your debt, but…”

“What happened to repaying said debt?”, she asked. The smile was now completely gone, replaced with an uncharacteristically stern look.

There was no helping it. I had to show my sincerity.

I went on my knees and bowed my head. “Please listen to me! I need to get out of this tournament. I’m not just saying this for my sake! I can’t keep endangering my girls! Please! You have to understand this!”

Sylphid was silent now.

“I don’t care what happens to me. Once this is all over I will be happy to do whatever you want. But please, I beg of you. Just kill me tomorrow.”

“No.”

The refusal was as abrupt as cold.

“Sylphid...”, Valkyrie tried to interject but was shot down by her friend.

“No. Sorry, but no Valk, I'm not letting this go. He himself asked me to name my reward and now he is trying to wiggle himself out of it? I mean, come on!”

This was not going the way I planned.

“Sylphid. I'm sorry…please...I know this is shameful, disgraceful behavior. But there are things more important then honor. Please, you have to understand.”

But Sylphid’s smile returned just as easily as it vanished. “Oh, I understand you perfectly, Handsome. You’re just spouting whatever pretty line comes into that head of yours, without ever intending to follow through with it. I will never be able to repay you, was it? Guess you weren’t lying about that!”

“No!”, I vehemently shook my head. “That’s not at all what…”

“No?” Sylphid basically pierced me with her stare. “What is it then?”

I tried to refute her, tell her she was wrong but what could I possible say in this situation? “I’m sorry.”

Upon hearing this, Sylphid let out a deep sigh. She tried to appear calm but the rage simmering underneath was palpable. “Don't worry, I still like you, Handsome. And I get it. I get why you are doing this. You’re in a tough spot. I know that. I’m not angry...not really at least. But tomorrow...” She took a deep breath and chuckled. “Tomorrow, I am going to make you my little bitch.”

And with that Sylphid simply strutted off.

Valkyrie remained for a bit, silently watching her friend leave. “Sylphid, is not fond of liars. You should not have offered her a reward, if you were not planning to actually follow through with it.”

“I...I am not a liar! I...do whatever she want except...”

For a few seconds Valkyrie gave me a stern look before her face softened again. “I understand. Sylphid is overreacting as well. Do not worry, she is not the person to hold a grudge. She will be over this by the same time tomorrow.” The Galmon fell silent for a bit. “That said...”

“Yes?”

“Prepare yourself for tomorrow.”